June 23, 2026 · 9 min read

Medical Phrases for Going to the Doctor Abroad: German, French, Spanish, Italian & Dutch

By Language Lab editorial team

Going to the doctor abroad is stressful. Medical phrases in German, French, Spanish, Italian and Dutch — describe symptoms, understand prescriptions.

Why medical language is the most important vocabulary you'll ever learn abroad

Every other language gap abroad is inconvenient — a medical language gap can be dangerous. Describing symptoms accurately to a doctor who doesn't speak English means knowing how to say 'I have a sharp pain in my lower abdomen' rather than just 'it hurts here'. Misunderstandings at a pharmacy about dosage instructions, or missing an allergy warning on a prescription, can have real consequences. Yet most language apps never cover medical vocabulary beyond 'hospital' and 'ambulance'. This is a significant gap that Language Lab's Medical phrasebook tracks specifically address — with voiced scenarios that simulate the actual GP appointment experience in German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Dutch.

The good news is that medical vocabulary in European languages has significant Latin and Greek roots that overlap with English medical terminology. Appendicitis is appendicite in French, appendicitis in Spanish, Appendizitis in German. Antibiotic is antibiotique in French, antibiótico in Spanish, Antibiotikum in German. The specialist vocabulary is often more recognisable than everyday words. The main challenge is the conversational framing — how to introduce your complaint, answer the doctor's questions about duration and severity, and understand the treatment instructions clearly.

Medical phrases in five languages

How to register with a GP abroad and what to say

Every European country has a different GP registration system. In Germany, you choose a Hausarzt (GP) and register directly at their practice — Ich würde mich gerne als Patient anmelden (I'd like to register as a patient). In France, you choose a médecin traitant and declare them on your Ameli (CPAM) account — Je voudrais vous choisir comme médecin traitant (I'd like to register you as my GP). In the Netherlands, you register with a huisarts practice and must live within the catchment area — Ik wil mij inschrijven als patiënt (I want to register as a patient). Language Lab's Medical phrasebook covers GP registration, prescription pickup, specialist referral, and emergency room vocabulary for each country's specific system.

Healthcare Abroad: When You Cannot Afford to Misunderstand

Medical appointments are the highest-stakes language situation expats face. Getting a diagnosis wrong, misunderstanding dosage instructions, or failing to communicate symptoms accurately can have serious health consequences. And yet healthcare is exactly the situation where language resources most often fail — generic phrasebooks give you "Where does it hurt?" but not the vocabulary to describe the difference between intermittent and constant pain, or to ask whether a medication interacts with something you already take.

This guide provides essential medical phrases across five languages commonly needed by expats and immigrants — German, French, Spanish, Dutch, and Italian — covering the situations that arise most frequently: booking appointments, describing symptoms, understanding diagnoses, and handling prescriptions.

Essential Medical Phrases: German

• Ich möchte einen Termin vereinbaren — I would like to make an appointment
• Ich habe Schmerzen in [body part] — I have pain in [body part]
• Seit wann haben Sie die Beschwerden? — How long have you had the symptoms? (what doctor asks)
• Seit [time period] — Since [time period] (your answer)
• Ich bin allergisch gegen [substance] — I am allergic to [substance]
• Ich nehme regelmäßig [medication] — I regularly take [medication]
• Wie nehme ich das Medikament ein? — How do I take this medication?
• Wie oft am Tag? — How many times a day?
• Muss ich nüchtern sein? — Do I need to be fasting?
• Kann ich einen Krankschreibung bekommen? — Can I get a sick note?

Essential Medical Phrases: French

• Je voudrais prendre rendez-vous avec un médecin — I would like to make an appointment with a doctor
• J'ai mal à [body part] — I have pain in [body part]
• Depuis combien de temps? — Since when? / How long?
• Je suis allergique à [substance] — I am allergic to [substance]
• Je prends déjà [medication] — I already take [medication]
• Quelle est la posologie? — What is the dosage?
• Est-ce que ce médicament a des effets secondaires? — Does this medication have side effects?
• Faut-il une ordonnance? — Do I need a prescription?
• Je n'ai pas de médecin traitant — I do not have a registered GP
• Pouvez-vous me donner un arrêt de travail? — Can you give me a sick note?

Essential Medical Phrases: Spanish

• Quiero pedir cita con el médico — I would like to make an appointment with the doctor
• Me duele [body part] — [body part] hurts
• Tengo fiebre — I have a fever
• Soy alérgico/a a [substance] — I am allergic to [substance]
• Tomo [medication] regularmente — I take [medication] regularly
• Cuántas veces al día? — How many times a day?
• Tiene efectos secundarios? — Does it have side effects?
• Necesito receta? — Do I need a prescription?
• Cuánto tiempo debo tomarlo? — How long should I take it?
• Puede darme la baja médica? — Can you give me a sick note?

Essential Medical Phrases: Dutch and Italian

• [Dutch] Ik wil een afspraak maken bij de dokter — I want to make an appointment with the doctor
• [Dutch] Ik heb pijn in mijn [body part] — I have pain in my [body part]
• [Dutch] Ik ben allergisch voor [substance] — I am allergic to [substance]
• [Dutch] Hoe moet ik dit medicijn innemen? — How should I take this medication?
• [Dutch] Kan ik een ziektebriefje krijgen? — Can I get a sick note?
• [Italian] Vorrei prendere un appuntamento — I would like to make an appointment
• [Italian] Ho dolore al/alla [body part] — I have pain in [body part]
• [Italian] Sono allergico/a a [substance] — I am allergic to [substance]
• [Italian] Come devo prendere questo medicinale? — How should I take this medicine?
• [Italian] Mi può fare una ricetta? — Can you give me a prescription?

Preparing for Medical Appointments Abroad

Before your first medical appointment in a new country, prepare a written summary of your medical history in both English and the local language. Include: current medications and dosages, known allergies (especially drug allergies), chronic conditions, previous surgeries, and your blood type. Carrying this document means even if your spoken language fails in a stressful moment, the doctor has the essential information in writing.